Some Writing Advice from Tennessee Williams

I was browsing google for some writing advice, like always, and discovered this in an article. I think it can be very helpful for all of us. It speaks to me right now...

"I believe that the way to write a good play is to convince yourself that it is easy to do -- then go ahead and do it.
Don't maul, don't suffer, don't groan -- till the first draft is finished.
Then Calvary -- but not till then.
Doubt -- and be lost -- until the first draft is finished.
A Play is a Phoenix -- it dies a thousand deaths.
Usually at night -- In the morning it springs up again from the ashes and crows like a happy rooster.
It is never as bad as you think.
It is never as good as you think.
It is somewhere in between and success or failure depends on which end of your emotional gamut concerning its value it actually approaches more closely.
But it is much more likely to be good if you think it is wonderful while you are writing the first draft.
An artist must believe in himself -- Possibly not so passionately as [D.H.] Lawrence -- but passionately. Your belief is contagious. Others say -- He is vain -- but they are affected.
I have never had much of that faith -- I have been a little too honest with myself and people.
Let us make up some brilliant lies! -- No -- let's don't -- Let's fight it out the old way --
...
Today I have been writing well. I look in the mirror. My face is fresh and glowing. I look young again..."

I love how he turns a story into a Phoenix. It's beautiful.

Google Gets Me

So, this is just a random post. I was googling 'plotting advice' since that's what I'm trying to do right now and I discovered a quote from Flannery O'Conner on some other writer's blog:

"You would probably do just as well to get that plot business out of your head and start simply with a character or anything that you can make come alive," she wrote to Hester. "Wouldn't it be better for you to discover a meaning in what you write rather than to impose one? Nothing you write will lack meaning because the meaning is in you."

Which is interesting because recently, in my creative writing class, we read a story by her titled "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and I really thought it was something else (meaning good, in this case). Especially after my professor started explaining more and more about the type of writer that O'Conner was.

I've been trying to plot out my book still. And I think I've realized that I've spent more time trying to write a plot down than I have attempted to simply write it out. Maybe I'm just not a plotter...

What about y'all? Plotters or Pantsers?

Hectic Schedules and Brainstorming

So! Last week I went on a long rant about age and experience and titles. Yeah, even the calm ones get fired up sometimes. But as for this week, I've been brainstorming about what to do next in the writing field. Well, in my novel's writing field at least. It's a considerably smaller arena and one that I like to fence myself into a lot. However, it's complex enough that I can talk about it over and over and over again. So, here goes.

I got a new job. No, seriously, I really did get an actual job in the real world so I can save up for college next semester. I really needed one, and I've been hunting non stop for the past six months, and now finally, I have one! But I've been thinking about how this is going to effect my schedule, and honestly... I might not have all the time in the world to write anymore. That means I'm going to have to be more diligent about fitting it in and making deadlines- not the easiest thing for me. You see, I pride myself on my spurs. Otherwise known as my spur of the moment nonsense code that I live by. Even term papers were part of this conventional style of mine. However, since I'm not very good at getting my books finished (I just got to 64 pages and it's been two years since I first came up with this idea), I know that I'm going to actually have to push myself to write.

You see, there's always something that seems to get in the way for writers. Unless you're amazing like Kiersten White and can finish your book in 3 weeks, or Abra Ebner and jot down every word in eleven freaking days (so jealous), then you're going to HAVE to push yourself to write. And it's a grueling process. Luckily, I'm not like White where I have two kids to look after. You see, she really IS Superwoman. But I am going to be working a LOT to save money for school and then in January I plan on being back in school while still working this job (if everything goes right). Sooo, I'm going to have even less time. And my whole goal (while crazy) is to finish the first draft of my novel by January so that I can work on editing in-between my homework and everything else that interrupts without knocking.

Man, life really is stressful.

All in all, life is short. There's always something or other to deal with, but if you love writing and you have a dream- make time for it.

I would like to say thank you to Lacey, one of my best friends, for giving me a planner. I didn't know it then, but I'm sure gonna have a use for it!

Happy scheduling folks!

The First Step

I couldn't tell you how many times I've searched for an easy answer to starting a novel. I've searched through pages and pages of google for some author's advice on writing... I've read dozens of How-to-Write books... I've asked writers themselves how they cross that threshold and begin the journey of writing a masterpiece.

And none of these made a lightbulb come on over my head.

The advice on writing is always ambiguous, because truthfully (and any writer, published or unpublished can account for this) there is NO right answer.

Here's a nifty definition for writing, found on dictionary.com:
Write: to express ideas in writing.
Write: to trace or form characters, words, etc., with a pen, pencil, or other instrument or means, or as a pen or the like does: He writes with a pen.
Write: to execute or produce by setting down words, figures, etc.

And sometimes it's just as complicated as the definition makes it sound...

Writing isn't an organized math problem. Writing isn't a recipe. There is no set formula or correct answer at the end of the problem before you. There are no measurements for creativity (add half a cup of characters and one teaspoon of tension and aha! there's your masterpiece). One has to find their own way to write, on their own time, and on their own path.

There is no guarantee that one will end up with a masterpiece as well. Writing is hard work. It can be fun and worthwhile, but anything that is will come with a price. Writing takes courage and the ability to accept failure at every turn, while still maintaining the hope for success.

So when I thought about what the first step to beginning a novel would be... I thought of the reason behind it.

Why does a writer choose to write?

This is what I believe to be the first step one must take before they begin. Because... if you don't know why you're writing then how can you begin a journey without a reason? Without a destination?

First, there is an idea... That idea might be completely random, it might not even surface as a potential book, article, journal, blog post, etc., but that idea is what initially takes place. Someone might say, "Wow, you know you should write a book..." and ta-da! You feel the urge to put pen to paper and let the world know what wonderful things pop into your brain magically! But what are you hoping to gain out of this?

Fame?
Fortune?
Glory?
A job?
A legacy?

If any of these reasons make the top of the "why?" list, then I must warn you... writing is probably not the right thing for you. You might as well try to be an actress or a singer, or both! Oooh, a double threat! Shucks, you might as well try to be Oprah before you try to make it big by writing a book...

The point is, if you're not in love with the idea of writing, and more in love with the idea of being published and signing autographed copies of your book to the millions of fans that read them, then I'd say put the pen in the drawer and back away slowly, because... it's not likely to turn out that way. I mean, if it does then great! And if you sincerely think you're going to become famous that way then go for it and prove me wrong! But I would be sincerely disappointed in an author that wanted only to gain fortune and fame from his/her novel rather than to share characters and a story that has been stuck in their head and wouldn't shut up or turn off until they told it to the world.

Writing takes courage and patience. But if one is willing to face the failures that are sure to come with it then they will choose to get up no matter how many times they fall.

Why do I want to write?

This is a question that I knew I had to face before I even thought about typing a sentence, before I even began the research or the outline, or even jotted down character profiles...

I want to write because I have a song to sing, an idea to share, and characters that won't shut up...

So, before one grabs their pen and a piece of paper, ask... why? If one can figure out an answer to this question then they can cross that threshold and decide on a path to finishing this long and difficult journey.

For more advice on writing:
See Holly Lisle's article and advice on writing at www.hollylisle.com